ANGLING AT KING'S BRIDGE. 51 



feet long, bearing in mind that a short, stiff rod is the best 

 to cast with, but not so good to play a fish with light run- 

 ning-tackle. Of course the size of float and weight of sinker 

 will be changed to suit the waters and the tides. 



" See that all things be right, 



For 'twould be a spite 

 To want tools when a man goes a-fishing." COTTON. 



You perceive that I have selected one hook with an 

 O'Shaughnessy bend (E), and the other (F) an Aberdeen. 



Well, brother angler, a night of sound sleep, and our in- 

 comparable breakfast at the Astor, with our drive over the 

 Blooming-dale Road this beautiful morning, has so enlivened 

 me to a sense of the beautiful that I feel assured we shall 

 have good sport to-day, and enjoy it. This is King's Bridge, 

 the name of the most spicy and succulent oyster that ever 

 graced the cuisine of a Dorlon. Our horse will be well cared 

 for at this hotel, for the host an admirable caterer appre- 

 ciates anglers. 



We will first see what sport there is to be had at the east 

 bridge, where we will joint our rods, and rig sinkers and floats 

 according to the movement of the tide. I perceive that the 

 tide is just on the turn to flood. Rig light for half an hour, 

 and then change to heavier sinker and larger float. I like 

 bridge fishing, for, after making a cast, you may humor your 

 line so as to lead the bait in the most angling manner from 

 current to current ; and then, in striking at a bite forty yards 

 off, there is so much sport in playing your fish until you get 

 him into the slack water formed by the piers of the bridge ; 

 and, being from 8 to 10 feet above the water, you generally 

 fasten the fish at the first bite. Strike ! You've hooked him ! 

 There ! give him play, but feel his weight, and make him con- 

 tend for every foot of line you give him, or he will take the 

 whole without exhausting himself, and you will lose him. 

 Do not permit him to run back on you, for that is a favorite 

 dodge of these striped sides to get slack line, and enable them 

 to dislodge the hook. Keep your rod up nearly perpendicu- 



